NEW
YORK, May 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The ninth
annual United Nations Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum
(UN STI Forum), dedicated to advancing the Sustainable
Development Goals, convened at the UN headquarters in New York on May 9-10,
2024. Under the theme "Science, Technology, and Innovation
for Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Eradicating Poverty in Times of
Multiple Crises: The Effective Delivery of Sustainable, Resilient,
and Innovative Solutions," the forum featured keynotes from
luminaries such as Dennis Francis,
President of the General Assembly; Paula
Narvaez, President of ECOSOC; Li Junhua, United Nations
Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; Tshilidzi
Marwala, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Rector of the United Nations
University; Muhammadou M. O. Kah, Chairman of the UN CSTD
and Vice Chair of the WDTA Education Council. These remarks focused
on deploying innovative solutions to expedite the achievements laid
out in the 2030 Agenda.
A key highlight of the forum was the DigiBridge side event,
organized by the World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA). The event
centered on crucial discussions about narrowing the global talent
and skill gap and enabling developing countries to leverage digital
technologies for sustainable growth.
The event was officially opened by Peter
Major, Vice Chairman of the UN CSTD and Founding Chairman of
WDTA, detailed how the DigiBridge program detailed how the
DigiBridge is a leading global initiative in digital talent
development, designed to bridge the global digital skills gap for
everyone. This comprehensive educational and training program melds
advanced pedagogical techniques with the demands of industry and
international benchmarks, offering a lifelong learning platform for
college students, technology professionals, and sector leaders.
Muhammadou M. O. Kah, also opened
the event by highlighting the indispensable role of digital
technologies in global economic growth and as pivotal solutions to
global challenges. He outlined the vision for UN CSTD and WDTA to
jointly foster a platform that promotes creativity, groundbreaking
ideas, and international collaboration, serving as a powerful
catalyst for sustainable digital technology growth and societal
advancement.
Yale Li, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of WDTA, introduced
the highly anticipated 'DigiBridge Digital Talent Development
Program. He emphasized the transformative role of innovative
educational solutions in shaping a resilient digital economy,
particularly through the lens of AI-driven training programs. These
initiatives demonstrate WDTA's leadership in educational innovation
and its commitment to cultivating an inclusive global digital
talent pool. Prof. Li mentioned that the WDTA has launched
the " Certified Artificial Intelligence Security Professional" and
" Certified Chief AI Officer" programs, which are rapid actions to
support comprehensive education in artificial intelligence.
Tshilidzi Marwala delivered a keynote speech on the topic of
generative AI in education. He emphasized the vast potential of
generative AI in the educational sector, particularly in
personalized learning and the access to educational resources,
while also highlighting the risks and challenges it presents, such
as data biases and the potential decline in students' critical
thinking skills. He advocated for a comprehensive and ethical
approach to exploring AI's application in education, ensuring
equitable access and mitigating potential negative impacts.
Contributions about AI and Education also came from industry
leaders. Naria K, General Manager of Digital Inclusion at Microsoft
Philanthropies, presented 'Helping People Build Skills for a New
Way of Working.' She discussed the transformative impact of
Generative AI on the workplace and the new opportunities it
creates. Highlighting the necessity for AI fluency in all future
jobs, Naria detailed Microsoft's initiatives to upskill
individuals, especially from underserved backgrounds, to navigate
and thrive in the evolving AI economy.
Dr. Cari L. Miller, Co-founder
and Board Chair at the AI Procurement Lab, presented 'Urgent and
Emerging AI Use Cases and the Demand for Cross-Cutting Education.'
She discussed the rapid adoption of AI use cases and their future
trends, emphasizing the need to adapt educational practices to
prepare a tech workforce capable of delivering immediate employer
value. Dr. Miller highlighted the importance of context-specific AI
applications and cross-cutting educational strategies that enhance
ROI through applied technical skills and domain knowledge.
From the academic sector, Professor Ryan
Ko, Cyber Security Chair at the University of Queensland, spoke on 'AI for
Interdisciplinary Cyber Security Education and Research.' He
outlined how UQ Cyber leverages AI in cyber security training,
detailing the synergy between rapid AI advancements and educational
strategies. His presentation highlighted UQ's role in training Team
Oceania for the International Cybersecurity Challenge, where AI
significantly enhanced the team's performance, securing them second
place. This effort not only demonstrated effective AI application
but also contributed to several UN Sustainable Development Goals,
reflecting the global impact of their educational innovations.
Zhifeng Hao, President of Shantou
University, outlined the evolution from early digital technologies
to today's AI-driven landscape, emphasizing the need to integrate
disciplines like AI and Big Data into education. Professor. Hao
highlighted Shantou University's commitment to supporting the
DigiBridge program, which aims to promote sustainable development
and universal access to digital technology.
During the summary of the event,
Executive Director and Assistant to
the Chairman of the WDTA, Melan Xu,
stated that DigiBridge is an open collaborative program. It invites governments,
corporations, NGOs, and others to partner with the WDTA to
leverage our collective strengths for synergistic development, with
the common goal of bridging the digital divide and ensuring that
everyone has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the
digital economy.
The success of the DigiBridge side event at the 2024 UN STI
Forum underscored the critical importance of international
collaboration in tackling challenges of the digital era. It also
reaffirmed the vital role of multilateral cooperation in promoting
digital education equity and inclusive growth worldwide, ensuring
that bridging the global digital gap for everyone.
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SOURCE World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA)